One of the most valuable tools that computer imaging offers
is the ability to draw one's interpretation of the text directly
on top of an image of the text. The drawing is ALWAYS done on
a different layer or series of layers,
so that the drawing can be changed without losing the original
data of the photograph. A layer is like a transparency placed
on top of a photograph--anything done to the transparency leaves
the original photograph untouched.

The second example presented here is an incised inscription
with the letters drawn in outline. The outline can then be selected
and either "stroked" with a paintbush
or pencil tool, or "filled" with a color of one's
choice.

2. In the Layer window, click on the right arrow and select
"New Layer." Give the layer a name and click on "OK."

Layer menu

New named layer

Your drawing should now take place with the new layer selected.
You can draw all your letters on one drawing layer, or you can
add a layer for each letter. Layers do, however, increase the
size of the file, so make sure you have enough memory to accommodate
large files.

Note that for this particular inscription there are three
image layers. When drawing letters that are incised it is best
to have at least two views of the inscription, from alternate
light angles, for comparison. In this case there is an image
with the light from the right, one with the light from the left,
and an x-ray shot. Before finalizing any drawing, all images
should be compared in order to obtain the best idea of how a
letter is formed.

3. In the Paths window, click on the right arrow and select
"New Path." Name the path and click "OK."

Path window

New path name

The path will be the series of points you choose to trace
or draw your letter. The computer authomatically connects the
points, somewhat like a dot-to-dot drawing.

4. Select the Pen Tool. You will
begin drawing with the basic pen tool (#1). Trace the letter
by clicking at a few points (called "anchor points")
around the outside of the letter. Use as few points as possible
for a smooth line. The computer will automatically connect the
points. At first the outline will look rather crude, but there
are other tools that will be used to shape the path more precisely.

Use a few points to draw the
basic
outline of the letter.

5. Now select, under Pen Tool, the Convert
Point Tool (#5). Click on one of the anchor points and drag
the cursor to one side. You will see that you have created "handlebars."
Moving the cursor around while holding on to the end of the handle
bar allows you to bend the path.

WIth the Convert Point Tool,
create handlebars
and change the curve of the path.

Once the path is drawn, click off the active layer and click
on an alternate image for comparison. You may need to make adjustments
to your path based on different views of the same letter.

Path on alternate image.

Adjusting path on alternate
image.

Third image with path for comparison.

In this inscription it is necessary to draw each stroke of
the letter separately (see Drawing
with Subpaths) and it may be preferable to do that for all
inscriptions, including those written with ink on parchment or
papyrus. The advantage of this method is that one can stroke
or fill each subpath with a different color to show stroke order
(see #6).